Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Willow Winters. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Willow, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

When I started self publishing these romance stories, I wanted to make five dollars a day. We were so broke, and I was a stay at home mom of 2. I thought if I could just make a few dollars it would ease my stress of stopping by Dunkin Donuts on the way to play dates. I had no idea it would turn into this.

There’s a steep learning curve in the industry and I’ve always loved a challenge. Within 8 months I’d published a number of books back to back and made a slew of errors. Every time I realized I should have done something – or I was able to afford something I knew I needed but couldn’t afford initially – I went back and corrected and then kept going. Initially I made covers myself – they were horrible – but the moment I could afford a “real” cover, I hired one and had all of my covers done professionally. Same thing with editors. Initially I couldn’t afford them.

I wasn’t going to let not being able to afford professionals stop me from getting started on this journey. I knew it would be better, brand and marketing, when I could go back and do things correctly but I went for it regardless. Initially, all I was concerned about was writing the stories in my head. So I would write a chapter during nap time, asked a friend to “proof read” it and within hours of finishing the writing, I’d publish the content. I made that five bucks a day very quickly, and then it grew and grew and I took nearly all of it to invest back into the business. I’ve always seen writing the books as art and publishing them as business. Thankfully, I love both halves of that coin.

Within the year, I made my husband’s yearly salary in a single month, but I knew there was so much more that needed to be done and I needed help on the publishing side so I could keep writing and keep learning. He was resistant to quit at first, asking me: are you sure you won’t run out of story ideas. That was nearly 7 years ago. With over 60 stories published and a multi million dollar business, I’m happy I had the gall to publish less than perfect and the persistence to keep going.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a prolific romance author with over 60 books published but they’re all presented in a multitude of ways. My main focus from a business stand point is to remove barriers to entry for all sorts of readers, including men and those who prefer masculine aesthetics over the traditional bodice rippers or even more feminine discreet covers. It’s important to me that my books are read and I understand that books are in fact judged by their cover so I offer as many options as possible. I have decadent editions worth over 100 per book and those same stories can be listened to for free on YouTube for readers who don’t have the budget for expensive collector editions.

I’ve been one of the first indie romance authors to step into avenues of business and marketing that others shied away from or saw little worth. From TikTok to direct sales to book boxes. I continue to learn and test the waters in different areas of business where I believe there may be growth. I’m also a bit odd in that I have over a dozen employees to help run the empire I’ve built. The majority of authors pursue this path on their own and it’s quite difficult to grow in this ever changing space when you have no one to lean on. I’ve focused on delegating so my main task can be writing and continuing to climb that steep learning curve. I’ve treated self publishing as a business and it’s reacted as one. My hope is to continue to grow and inspire others in the industry to remove barriers to entry for their work, while making a living, so more people can read romance and fall in love with the genre.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I absolutely love social media. I didn’t at first though. I was afraid to show my face and I was afraid people wouldn’t like me or that I wouldn’t be taken seriously. I made one change and that resulted in growth beyond imagination.

I post as if I’m talking to a friend.

Every post, I think of a friend who I’m updating, someone who genuinely already loves me and wants to hear about what’s going on with me and my world. Not only is the engagement better and the content more genuine and easy with that perspective, but I looked up a few months later and suddenly the people watching felt like friends. Which is point of social media.

I know not all feel comfortable being themselves on the platforms or their afraid to speak their minds and truths but the thing is you have to go out there and shout from the rooftops what it is that you love and what you’re doing so those who will love it too can hear you and see you and follow you. Imagining that I was talking to a friend aided me immensely.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I read Essentialism years ago, by Greg McKeown. A financial manager actually recommended the book to me. The book itself helped me on a personal level with learning boundaries but also helped me in business. I began to delegate and bring on more individuals who loved what I didn’t and could fill a space in my company that I didn’t want to occupy. And quite honestly, I shouldn’t have been doing those tasks. I should be writing and engaging with readers. That’s my strength and I’m the only one who can do that. So everything else is passed to someone who loves that task. This is where I’ve really strayed from the typical indie author. I bring on a team and it shows. I’m able to grow quickly and without worry or stress (mostly) because I can lean on others.

That book changed my business forever and I’m forever grateful that it was recommended to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: willowwinterswrites.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowwintersshouldbewriting/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowWintersAuthor
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/willowwintersbb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc7vx634Owx9IojGJ2ABMmQ
• Other: All other links: https://geni.us/3B53kF